Prefabricated enclosure



June 21, 1955 E. H. slMs ETAL 2,711,180

PREFABRICATED ENCLOSURE original Filed Jan. 19. 194e 5 sheets-sheet 1INVENTORJ` 50G/91? H- //WS YWHLAE? C. MOP/90W A rra/swim June 21, 1955E. H. slMs Ei' AL PREFABRICATED ENCLOSURE Oignal Filed Jan. 1.9. 1948 3Sheets-Sheet 2 PaL lill" 5, m 5m w 4 ma@ M w N R 0 maV n MA 3.@ .8 .IMMV wm. Y....wv. 4 7 7 A m M O M 4 M /m n H/ u..

June 21, 1955 E. H. SIMS ET AL PREFABRICATED ENCLOSURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3Original Filed Jan. 19. 1948 United States Patent() 2,111,180PREFABRICATED ENCLOSURE Edgar H. Sims, Phoenix, Ariz., and Walker C.Morrow, Dearborn, Mich.

Substituted for abandoned application Serial No. 2,973, `lanuary 19,1948. This application January 2, 1952, Serial No. 264,507

6 Claims. (Cl. 135-6-3) This invention relates generally t'o demountableprefabricated structures and has particular reference to an improvedconstruction of garden porch.

The present application is a substitute Afor our prior applicationSerial No. 2,973, led January 19, 1948, which was abandoned July 15,1951.

One of the objects of this invention is t'o provide an enclosure havinga demountable prefabricated frame structure embodying strong, lightweight frame members capable of being quickly assembled or disassembledand adapted to form a compact readily transportable package whendisassembled.

Another object of this invention is to provide a frame structure of theabove general type composed of frame members of stock cross-sectionwhich not only reduces the material cost to a minimum, but in addition,enables varying the size of the frame structure by merely selectingframe members of the desired length.

A further feature of this invention is to provide a clamping bracketdesigned to form a series of angularly disposed sockets for respectivelyremovably receiving the ends of a corresponding number of frame members.These brackets are largely responsible for the expedient manner in whichthe frame members may be secured together to form the frame structure.The particular construction of the brackets and the above as well asother objects of this invention will be made more apparent as thisdescription proceeds, especially when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a demountable prefabricated framestructure embodying the features of this invention.

Figure 1A is a side elevational view of the frame structure shown inFigure l.

Figure 2 is an end elevational View of the construction shown in Figurel.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-a3 of Figure 1A.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken `on the line 5 5 of Figure lA.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional View taken on the line 7&7 of Figure 2; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional View through a modilied form ofconstruction.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, it will be noted that thenumeral 10 indicates a demountable prefabricated frame structurecomprising a rectangular shaped base frame 11 composed of longitudinallyand transversely extending sill members 12 and 13 respectively. The sillmembers are channel-shaped in Acrosssection, and the adjacent endsthereof are arranged in overlapping relationship. As shown particularlyin Figure 7 of the drawings, the top and bottom flanges of thetransverse sill members 13 are respectively seated on 2,711,180 PatentedJun-e 21, 'lassthe corresponding flanges of the longitudinal sillmembers 12. 'Ihe overlapping portions of the top flanges on the sillmembers are formed with aligned openings therethrough for respectivelyreceiving the lower ends f suitable tubular upright members v14. Theconstruction is such that a tubular upright member 14 is located at eachcorner of the rectangularly shaped base frame 12, and the lower endportions of theseupright members act as pins for removably securing thebase sill members in assembled relationship. Additional tubular uprightmembers 15 are provided between the upright members 14 at thelongitudinal sides of the base frame 11. The

upright members 15 are arranged in pairs, andv are spaced from eachother in the 'direction of length ofthe base frame. The lower ends ofupright members 15 at each longitudinal side of the frame 'structure 10extend through openings formed in the top flange of the adjacentlongitudinal sill member 12. The upright members 14 and 15 areinterchangeable, and are of a length predetermined to provide thespecied height to the frame structure lil. The longitudinal sill members12 are also interchangeable as are the transverse sill members. Theinterchangeable feature greatly facilitates fabrication, because itrenders it unnecessary to distinguish between the sill members duringerection of the frame structure.

Supported on the upper ends of the upright frame members is a frame 16comprising longitudinal side tubular frame members 17 and transverse endtubular frame members 18. The longitudinal frameniembers 17 are alsoconnected together intermediate the ends by transverse tubular framemembers 19 spaced from each other in the direction of length of theframe members 17. The tubular frame members 17 correspond in length tothe longitudinal sill members 12, and are interchangeable with oneanother. The transverse frame members 18 'and 19 correspond in length tothe transverse sills 13 and are also interchangeable with one another.

Extending parallel to the longitudinal frame members 17 and spaced abovethe frame 16 is va tubular roof r'a'il 20. The roof rail 20 correspondsin length to the longitudinal frame members 17, and is positioned midwaybetween the frame members 17, as shown in FigurelZ ef the drawings. Theopposite ends of the roof rail are respectively connected to thecorresponding ends of the longitudinal frame member 17 by tubular raftermein'- bers 21 inclined downwardly from opposite sides of the roof rail20. The roof 'rail 20 is also connected inter'- mediate the ends of thelongitudinal frame members 17 by additional tubular raft'er members 22,which are' interchangeable with each other and with the rafter meinbers21.

The upper ends of the pair of 'rafter members are respectively removablysecured to the rail 20 by clamping brackets 23. Upon reference to Figure5 of the drawings, it will be noted that each clamping bracket 23comprises a pair `of plates 24 and 25 removably secured together byfastener elements in the form of bolts 26 and nuts 27. The plates areembossed laterally 'outwardly intermediate oppositeside edges to form atubular socket 28 having an internal diameter in the clamped position ofthe plates slightly less than the outside diameter of the tubular rail20. The plates are further embossed laterally outwardly at oppositesides of the tubular socket 28 to form a pai-r of tubular .sockets 29for respectively receiving the upper ends of a pair f the tubular raftermembers. The internal diameter 'of the tubular sockets 29 is less in theclamped position or" the plates than the external diameter of the raftermembers. During assembly the fastener 'elements'V are loosened,permitting the tubular socket 28 to 'freely tele'- scope over theroofing rail 20, .and also permitting 'the upper ends of the raftermembers to be freely inserted into the sockets 29. The fastener elementsare then tightened to rigidly clamp the upper ends of the raftermembers, and the roofing rail in place in the bracket.

The lower ends of the rafter members are respectively detachablyconnected to the frame lo by clamping brackets 39, which in addition,act to removably clamp the upper ends of the upright tubular framemembers to the frame 16, and also serve to respectively connect oppositeends of the tubular cross frame members l and 19 to the longitudinalside frame members 17. All of the brackets Si! are identical inconstruction, and accordingly, only one need be described in detailherein. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, it will be noted that each bracket30 comprises three plates 3l, 31 and 32 removably clamped in abuttingrelationship by fastener elements in the form of bolts 33 and nuts 34.The plates are formed with laterally outwardly extending portions whichcooperate to provide a tubular socket 35 adapted to receive the tubularframe member 17. The plates are also formed with laterally extendingembossed portions which coact to form a second tubular socket 36 adaptedto receive the lower end of one of the rafter members. The plates 31 and32 are further embossed to coact with one another to form a thirdtubular socket 37 adapted to receive one end of a tubular transversemember of the frame 16, and thereby connect this member to thelongitudinal tubular frame member 17. The plates 31 and 32 are formedwith still another embossed portion which cooperates to provide a fourthtubular socket 3S for receiving the upper end of one of the tubularupright members. Thus it will be noted that each bracket 30 hasprovision for connecting four angularly disposed tubular members, andthis arrangement not only greatly reduces the number of parts required,but also simplifies assembly and disassembly. It will be understood thatthe internal diameter of all of the tubular sockets in each bracket issomewhat less than the eX- ternal diameter of the tubular membersconnected by the bracket when the two bracket plates are securelyclamped together. During assembly the fastener elements are, of course,loosened to enable the tubular members to be readily assembled with thebracket, and subsequent to assembly the fastener elements aretightsembled, and this is, of course, advantageous when it is desired toship or transport the construction from one location to another. ltwillV further he noted that many of the parts are interchangeable withone another, thereby simplifying erection of the frame structure. Inaddition to the foregoing, it will be understood from Figure 2 of thedrawings thatthe'sizeV of the frame structure may be readily changedwithout major operations by merely employing tubing of different length.Thus it is a simple matter to alter the Width and/or length of theenclosure.

The construction shown in Figure 8 of the drawings illustrates anchoragemeans for more securely anchoring Y the sills to the ground and forassisting in supporting the upright members in vertical positions. lndetail the anchorage means shown comprises a pin or stake 50 adapted tobe forced into the ground and having an inverted substantiallycup-shaped cap 51 secured to the upper end thereof. The bottom flangesof the channel-shaped sills are formed with openings 52 of sufficientdiameter tofreely receive the stakes 50 and these openings are alignedwith the openings 53 in the top anges of the sills through which thelower ends of the tubular upright members 14 and 15 project. as tofrictionally telescope into the lower ends of the tubular uprightmembers and an annular outwardly extending flange 54 is formed at thebottom of the cap body for seating engagement with tthe bottom flangesof the sills around the openings 52 therethrough. The

diameter of the flange S4 approximates the diameter of the openings S3in the top flanges of the sills enabling the caps to pass through thelatter openings during installation. Thus the anchorage means not onlyserves to securely clamp the sills to the ground, but in addition, as-

ened to securely clamp the bracket to the different tubular members.

It will further be noted from Figures l to 3 inclusive that the brackets3l) are formed with openings 39 enabling diagonal brace rods 40 to beattached thereto. The lower ends of the diagonal brace rods 40 areprovided with clips 41 of a construction suitable to enable the same tobe readily attached to the sill members of the base frame 11.

After the frame structure 10 is properly assembled, a suitable doorframe 42 may be inserted in one or both sides of the frame structurebetween the spaced upright members 15. Suitable fastening means, suchfor example, as U-shaped straps, may be provided for anchoring the doorframe to the upright members 15. The frame structure previouslydescribed is particularly adapted for use in connection with a canvascover indicated generally by the numeral 43. If desired the can- Vascovering may have a screen insert at one or more sides for Ventilatingpurposes. In order to avoid tearing or undue wear of the canvas coveringat the ends of the frame structure, suitable guards 44 are respectivelysecured to the brackets 23 and 30 at opposite ends of the framestructure. These guards present a relatively smooth surface over whichthe canvas may be drawn, and protect the canvas from sharp corners oredges that may be present on the brackets.

It follows from the foregoing that the frame structure is composed of arelatively few simple parts capable of being readily assembled anddisassembled. It will also be noted that the parts are of a nature toenable packaging the same in a compact bundle when disassists insupporting the upright members in vertical positions reiative to thesills.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description ofthe improved prefabricated enclosure in such full, clear, concise andexact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to practice thein- Y vention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What we claim as our invention is: v l. A prefabricated structurecomprising longitudinal and transverse substantially channel-shapedinterchangeable sill members having the adjacent ends arranged inoverlapping relationship and having aligned openings in the top flangesof the overlapping portions, and tubular upright members having thelower ends respectively eX- tending through the aligned openings andresting upon the bottom flange of one of said sill members, saiduprights constituting the sole means for securing the sillmemberstogether.

2. A Prefabricated structure comprising a base frame formed oflongitudinal and transverse substantially channel-shaped sill memberseach having spaced top and bottom anges and having spaced openings inthe top flanges thereof, a second frame elevated with respect to thebase frame, tubular upright members for supportingV the second frame inan elevated position relative to the'. base frame, said upright membershaving the lower ends extending through the openings in they top flangesand supported by the bottom flanges of the sill members.

3. A prefabricated structure comprising a sill channelshapedin'crosS-section and an upright-member tubular' in cross-sectionextending through an opening in the top ange of the sill, a stakeprojecting through an opening in the bottom ange of the sillsubstantially aligned with the opening the top flange, and a cap on theupper end of the stake telescopically engageable in the lower end of thetubular upright member and having a, portion bearing against the bottomange of the sill.

4. A Prefabricated structure comprising a sill channelshaped incross-section and an upright member tubular in cross-section extendingthrough an opening in the top 1 The diameter of the cap body is such'VVange of the sill, a stake projecting through an opening in the bottomange of the sill substantially aligned with the opening in the topflange, an inverted substantially cup-shaped cap having the innersurface of the base centrally secured to the upper end of the stake andhaving a side wall dimensioned to telescopically engage in the lower endof the upright member, and an annular ange projecting outwardly from thelip of the cap having a maximum diameter sufciently less than thediameter of the opening through the top ange of the sill to enablepassage of the cap through the latter opening during installation andoccupying a position between the lower end of the tubular upright memberand adjacent surface of the bottom flange on the sill.

5. A prefabricated structure comprising longitudinal and transversesubstantially channel-shaped sill members having the adjacent endsarranged in overlapping relationship and having aligned openings in thetop'anges of the overlapping portions, and upright members having the 6lower ends respectively extending through the aligned openings andresting upon the bottom flange of one of said sill members.

6. A Prefabricated structure comprising longitudinal and transversesubstantially channel-shaped sill members each having spaced top andbottom anges and having spaced openings in the top flanges thereof, andupright members having the lower ends extending through the openings inthe top anges and supported by the bottom v anges of the sill members.

References Cited-in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS BrewerJan. 15, 1918

